Chapter 2

Valerie flared her eyes playfully and tapped his chest, shaking her head.

"Donald Williams, you are going to spoil Lily rotten."

"So what? I want to!"

Donald laughed, lifting Lily onto his shoulders.

He jogged around the living room, making airplane noises while she squealed with delight.

Clara stood in the doorway, hiding in the shadows while clinging to my skirt.

"Mommy," she whispered, "what's gelato?"

My eyes burned with tears as I stroked her hair. "It's a fancy ice cream, sweetie."

"If I cook for Daddy, will he be that happy too?"

She didn't ask to go out for ice cream. She just wanted her father's smile.

I couldn't bear to break her heart. So I lied. "Of course he will."

Yet that simple dish, cooked with so much love, ended up tossed in the trash.

A lump formed in my throat, choking me. I couldn't break down in front of her.

"Clara Williams, Mommy is thirsty," I said, forcing a soft tone. "Could you get me a glass of water?"

"Okay."

She walked away, her head hanging low.

Donald Williams ignored us both, staring at his phone screen.

Valerie was texting him pictures of limited-edition designer dolls.

Without hesitation, he tapped his screen and transferred three thousand dollars to her account.

A cold, bitter laugh welled up in my chest.

In this house, my daughter was criticized over a single potato.

But his ex-girlfriend's child received blank checks with a tap of a finger.

It wasn't about the money. He just despised us.

"Do you know what today is?" I asked.

He didn't look up. "What is it?"

"It's Clara's birthday."

His fork stopped mid-air.

Still, his eyes remained glued to his phone. His voice remained casual.

"Oh. Right. I forgot."

Forgot.

It was always a mistake.

I smiled, completely numb.

Leaving Clara stranded at school till dark because he had to pick up Valerie's daughter was a mistake.

Using Clara's perfect report card as scratch paper while tutoring Valerie's daughter was a mistake.

Taking Valerie's daughter to a steakhouse while forgetting to drop off Clara's lunch was a mistake.

Deep down, I knew the truth. His heart was never with us.

"You never forget Lily's birthday," I said, glancing toward the kitchen.

My heart shattered as I saw Clara spill water on the floor, frantically using her little dress to wipe it off.

"It's not just her birthday. Christmas, Halloween, school breaks, you spend every single holiday with Valerie's daughter.

"Her first day of school, her first lost tooth, her first star sticker, you threw a party for every little thing."

"Tell me, Donald Williams," I said, turning to glare at him. "Do you even know how old your own daughter is?"

Silence settled heavy over the dining room.

Donald Williams hesitated. "Five?"

A harsh laugh escaped my lips.

Five?

That was Lily's age.

"She is seven."

A flash of discomfort crossed his face. Maybe he felt guilty. Maybe his pride was wounded.

When Clara walked back carrying the glass of water, Donald suddenly pulled her into a hug.

"We have time this afternoon," he said, forcing a smile. "How about Daddy taking you to the amusement park for your birthday?"

Clara didn't cheer. She just froze.

She carefully set the glass on the table, her tiny lips trembling as she turned to me.

"Mommy... is it true? Is Dad really taking me to the park?"

A tight squeeze gripped my chest, suffocating me.

"Yes, baby. It's true."

"Yay! Dad is celebrating my birthday!"

She darted into her bedroom to find the pink dress Donald bought her last year. She smoothed down every fold, treating it like a precious treasure.

I never had the heart to tell her the truth.

He hadn't bought it for her.

Valerie’s daughter was simply too small for the size, and the store wouldn't take back return.